How Calypso got her name

Image via Wikipedia

John Denver

            I am often told that I do things a little unorthodox; I have to admit that I do. I chose the name Calypso before I even met my puppy. I always knew the next shepherd I would own would be a large one and I wanted a name befitting its legacy. Had she been a he, his name would have been Zeus. Believe me when I say I would have had fewer objections had she been a he.

            I was exploring Greek Mythology names and the stories behind the names. The one name that continuously caught my attention was Calypso. Her story is captivating. Calypso is the daughter of Titan Atlas; and is remembered most for her role in Homer’s Odyssey. She imprisoned the fabled Greek hero Odysseus on her island for seven years before releasing him to return to his beloved wife. Even the offer of eternal life could not hold him.

Jacques Cousteau

            Jacques-Yves Cousteau named his research ship after Calypso. John Denver wrote a song titled “Calypso” as a tribute to Cousteau and his work. (The song and video are on the IPod to the left of this blog. If you take the time to listen to the words, you will find them quite beautiful and poetic.)

            “Aye, Calypso, the places you’ve been to, the things that you’ve shown us, the stories you tell. Aye Calypso, I sing to your spirit, the men who have served you, so long and so well.”

            It defines so well, what animals do for us. They take us to places we never been to. They show us things we have never seen. They give us stories to tell; and they will love us so long and so well if we nurture them.

            I think Calypso is a wonderful, strong name and is the perfect name for her. She is already living up to her name, one adventure at a time, one story at a time.

Calypso, one adventure after another.